Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting can be a rewarding hobby that provides insight into past decades and trends; however, it can also be a space hog. With books upon books filled with stamps or detailing the stories behind the stamps you own, you may quickly find yourself with limited room to keep new stamps within your own home. However, before you cram your collection into a self storage facility, there are a few things you should consider:

Proper Cataloging

One of the primary concerns of any stamp collector is deterioration. Stamps that are not properly cataloged can become brittle and discolor. They may even become tacky allowing them to stick to other stamps. To catalog your stamps properly, use a catalog that can be expanded to include three albums. These types of albums generally use the Scott numbering system, and make it very easy for you to identify your stamps. When you mount your stamps into these catalogs, always use mounting corners or gummed corner so that your stamps are not damaged.

Proper Storage Containers

If you have an extensive stamp collection or are a stamp vender, there is a good chance that you don’t have room to store all of your stamps, books on stamping, and cataloging items lying around your home. Before you choose to store these items, however, you need to place them in secure storage containers. Generally plastic bins with built in shelving are adequate as they both alleviate the pressure of stacking catalogs on top of one another and they prevent the elements from getting in.

A Good Storage Facility

Stamps should never be kept in an area where they can easily be affected by temperatures. Excessive heat and bitter cold can affect stamps and cause them to age more quickly. If you are unable to store stamps in your own home, consider placing them in a climate controlled storage unit. These types of units are maintained at specific temperatures and humidity levels which can often make them more secure than even your home.

Trying to figure out what to do with your stamp collection is often a difficult one. You love having them around and easily accessible, but the space they often take up can be highly aggravating. If you choose to store your stamps, simply make sure that you take all necessary precautions before your store so that your stamps will stay in prime condition. You’ve worked hard to collect them, and placing them in adequate storage would be similar to throwing your stamps in the garbage.

Photo Credits: Rachel Ford James

Originally posted 2011-08-02 18:26:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you are a stamp collector, one of the considerations you may end up making pertains to selling stamp collections. If you are interested in selling stamp collections, you are going to need to keep this in mind at all times and with every stamp that you buy. Stamp collectors tend to spend a huge amount of time collecting different stamps, and the majority of them will spend much of their lives in the act of collecting. There are some collectors that collect primarily with the intention of selling their stamps and stamp collections.

People with stamp collections tend to spend a significant amount of time, money and effort acquiring the stamps that they put into their collection, however many of these collectors make a vital mistake in that they are not selling their stamps when they become more valuable in order to make an income. The knowledge of where, how and when they should actually sell their stamps is a truly important part of the entire stamp collection process.

Here is something to consider: If you fill your stamp collections until the day that you die, what will become of your stamp collections once you have passed away? Your family may not appreciate the effort that has to go into selling your stamp collections for you. The collection, as a result, may not bring about the profit that you intended for it, so you should aim to sell your stamp collections yourself so that your family does not have to try to deal with it themselves. You need to take responsibility for your stamp collections by gaining the best possible profits that you can come the collection.

Many people with stamp collections decide to sell their collections to specialized dealers, but there are disadvantages to this method of selling because dealers typically give the lowest possible price for the stamps that they purchase, especially when they are buying a large quantity of stamps at a time.

Before you sell your stamp collection you need to determine what its market value is. Many collectors, unfortunately, do not have the necessary knowledge to determine what the true condition is for a stamp, and so it may be vital to see a professional for proper stamp collection evaluation.

A collection of stamps is also capable of being sold through private treaty, meaning that you are selling your collection to another stamp collector with a private agent acting as a go between. The agent would act as a middle man, and the middle man would also be a stamp dealer or a private auction house. The agent will make sure that the sale is fair regardless of whether you are selling an entire collection or a single stamp. The private agent should also receive a percentage of the sale, so this is a slightly more costly option but still worthwhile for you to consider.

Photo Credits: kevindooley

Originally posted 2009-08-05 05:12:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A commemorative stamp is essentially a stamp that was created in order to honor something, such as for example a special occasion, a special person or a special place. Most commemorative stamp varieties are printed in very small batches, and sometimes they are only printed one time and then never again. The purpose of this process is to ensure that they remain unique and are considered to be a standard as a collector’s item.

Post services all over the world issue commemorative stamps every single year, typically with several different options for you to choose from upon their release. These commemorative stamp issues are different from regular standard stamps. Stamp collectors from all over the world are constantly on the look out for the perfect commemorative stamp, which is typically a commemorative stamp that fits in with the theme of their stamp collection and that is in mint or perfect condition.

There are a myriad of different commemorative stamps out there in the world already, and the number just keeps growing. As you can see from this list of examples, there is a commemorative stamp for practically every collector out there:

• Mickey Mouse and Ronald Reagan First Day Covers
• Greta Garbo US and Sweden Joint First Day
• John Wayne “The Duke” First Day
• Commemorative Panel for New York Subway
• King George V
• King George VI
• The 1948 Olympics in 4 different versions,
• The 1935 Jubilee in 4 different versions,
• The 948 Libertine in 2 different versions,
• The Trans Mississippi Exposition, issued in 1989
• The Columbian Exposition, issued in 1893
• The Pan American Exposition, issued in 1901

In addition to being able to buy any commemorative stamp that you like, you can also buy a specific commemorative stamp album where the work is already done for you, and the stamps are already there for you, arranged nicely in the perfect collection. This may take some of the fun out of the collecting process, but if your goal is to own a certain commemorative stamp, this might be the best way to do it.

There are commemorative stamp possibilities that date as far back as the eighteenth century, and there are examples like the 17 cent stamp in 1860 that was by New Brunswick and showed a Prince of Wales as they hoped that he would visit. There was an Abraham Lincoln stamp in 1966 as well that only cost 15 cents. This stamp was not officially declared as being a memorial to him, however, oddly enough. There are definitely a wide variety of different commemorative stamp options out there for you to choose from – All you have to do is find the commemorative stamp that you want the most and go for it.

Photo credits: carolyn.will

Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:50:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

When people are just starting out, the idea of stamp collecting can be relatively confusing. This is because it can be difficult for starters to distinguish regular stamps from valuable ones. Collecting stamps is a truly enjoyable hobby, however, so many more serious collectors recommend that the best possible way to start out collecting stamps is simply to do so in a hobby sense. In other words, when you are beginning collecting stamps as a hobby, I would be wise for you to choose the stamps that appeal to you on a visual basis rather than attempting to purchase stamps simply because they appear to be valuable. When you dive into the world of collecting stamps as a hobbyist rather than as a serious collector, that is when you can learn how to participate in stamp collecting without feeling the pressure of the investment aspect of the game.

Depending on what type of stamp collection you are seeking, collecting stamps can easily become an expensive and time intensive hobby, but it does not need to be! Many hobby shops and stamp dealers offer stamp packets that come at a reasonable price, allowing for people to begin their collection on a quick start basis. Initially, individuals should become their stamp collections with a broad range of different stamps, giving themselves a good opportunity to see all of the various types and designs that are made available. It is vital that collectors learn how to develop their own unique taste, building a collection on their personal preferences so that they can best enjoy their collection.

A great way to jump start your stamp collecting endeavor is to jump online and use internet resources to your fullest ability. You can purchase a stamp price book that will help you begin exploring the basic values of different stamps. It will be also helpful if you can find ways to connect with other people who are collecting stamps, especially online or through community groups. A small amount of guidance in the world of collecting stamps can really go a long way in preparing you for the arena around you. When you collect stamps, if you are collecting for value, you should leave the stamp on the paper because it allows the stamp to be preserved. If you are collecting purely for entertainment and hobby value, then you may want to have a stamp album that you can stick your stamps in. If you are not sure what purpose you are collecting for, preserving the integrity of the stamps by keeping their backs on is definitely advisable.

Above all else, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the entire endeavor, there is never anything wrong with asking for help. There are plenty of knowledgeable people online and in the community that can help you get started. Asking for help is definitely going to be better than doing something wrong and potentially harming a valuable stamp in the process.

Photo Credits: paladinsf

Originally posted 2009-06-30 05:07:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

It does not matter if you are just beginning in the stamp collecting world, or if you have been collecting avidly for years: There are a number of stamp collecting supplies that are truly essential to your collection. What this means is that you absolutely cannot do without these essential stamp collecting supplies if you want your collection to grow and your hobby to be successful. The stamp collecting hobby may be relatively inexpensive for most people, but you are going to need to invest a nominal amount of money into these necessary stamp collecting supplies in order for you to collect your stamps the right way. Here is what you need to have in terms of stamp collecting supplies in order to grow your stamp collection.

Stamp Collecting Albums -

Before you begin your stamp collecting hobby, you need to find a stamp album that is going to work well for your needs. You can buy stock books allowing you to slip your stamps into tiny pockets for example. You can also purchase a standard stamp album, available where stamp collecting supplies are sold, and you can mount each stamp individually onto the pages. This may take a little bit more time and effort, but the stamps look great!

Corner Mounts –

When you mount your stamps, what you are going to need is a bunch of corner mounts which are inexpensive and come for about $3 per 1000 or so. They will help you mount your stamps onto your pages.

Tongs -

The purpose of tongs is truly vital as far as stamp collecting supplies go. Most tongs are specifically used when people are trying to soak the paper away from the stamp back. Tongs offer a gentler touch than what the human hand can offer. They can handle stamps without the stamps becoming dirty or harmed in the process. An excellent pair of tongs can be found for less than $5 and these tongs come in a wide variety of different sizes and styles as well. You would do well to experiment in order to figure out which type of tongs is best going to meet your needs.

Stamp Books -

If you are looking to know more about not only collecting stamps, but also stamp collecting supplies, then it would benefit you to purchase a book on collecting stamps. A single good instructional book can be extremely informative and helpful to a new collector or a seasoned one. Shopping online is a great way to find out what types of stamp collecting supplies are out there, because there are plenty of stamp collecting enthusiasts out there that want to share their craft and you can take advantage of this by shopping online through their stores and learning more about what it is that they have to offer.

Photo Credits: Thomas Hawk

Originally posted 2009-06-15 05:31:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter